1 B1 neutral
To stay at the back of a group because of shyness or reluctance to participate.
"Most of the children rushed to the front, but a few hung back near the door."
hang back
B1 neutral intransitive
To hesitate or be reluctant to move forward or participate, often due to shyness or uncertainty.
In plain English
To stay behind or not join in because you are not sure or a bit shy.
What does "hang back" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To be reluctant or hesitant to do something or make a commitment.
"Investors hung back, uncertain about the company's future after the CEO resigned."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To hang (stay) back (behind others) rather than moving forward.
Actually means
To stay behind or not join in because you are not sure or a bit shy.
Usage tip
Describes both physical hesitation (staying behind in a group) and figurative reluctance (holding back from participation or decisions). Common in everyday and slightly formal contexts. Used across both British and American English.
Words that pair with "hang back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
crowd group decision shyness hesitation moment
How to conjugate "hang back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hang back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hangs back
he/she/it
Past simple
hung back
yesterday
Past participle
hung back
have + pp
-ing form
hanging back
continuous
Hear "hang back" in the wild
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Other ways to say "hang back"
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